elf are under some obligations to Mr.
Egerton. Yet, in reality, he has more to apprehend from you than from
Mr. Fairfield."

"I disown obligations to Mr. Egerton. And if the electors prefer me to
him (whom, by-the-by, they once burned in effigy), it is no fault
of mine: the fault, if any, will rest with his own dearest friend,
L'Estrange. I do not understand how a man of such clear sense as
L'Estrange undoubtedly possesses, should be risking Egerton's election
in his zeal for mine. Nor do his formal courtesies to myself deceive me.
He has even implied that he suspects me of connivance with Peschiera's
schemes on Violante. But those suspicions he cannot support. For of
course, Levy, you would not betray me--"

"I! What possible interest could I serve in that?"

"None that I can discover, certainly," said Randal, relaxing into a
smile. "And when I get into parliament, aided by the social position
which my marriage will give me, I shall have so many ways to serve you.
No, it is certainly your interest not to betray me; and I shall count on
you as a witness, if a witness can be required."

"Count on me, certainly, my dear fellow," said the baron. "And I suppose
there will be no witness the other way. Done for eternally is my poor
dear friend Peschiera, whose cigars, by-the-by, were matchless;--I
wonder if there will be any for sale. And if he were not so done for, it
is not you, it is L'Estrange, that he would be tempted to do for!"

"We may blot Peschiera out of the map of the future," rejoined Randal.
"Men from whom henceforth we have nothing to hope or to fear are to us
as the races before the deluge."

"Fine remark," quoth the baron, admiringly. "Peschiera, though not
without brains, was a complete failure. And when the failure of one I
have tried to serve is complete, the rule I have adopted through life is
to give him up altogether."

"Of course," said Randal.

"Of course," echoed the baron. "On the other hand, you know that I like
pushing forward young men of mark and promise. You really are amazingly
clever; but how comes it you don't speak better? Do you know, I doubt
whether you will do in the House of Commons all that I expected from
your address and readiness in private life."

"Because I cannot talk trash vulgar enough for a mob? Pooh! I shall
succeed wherever knowledge is really power. Besides, you must allow for
my infernal position. You know, after all, that Avenel, if he can only
return himself o